We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
There are many things that make me happy, but the thing that makes me the happiest is when I’m holding my camera and I am in my own little world shooting. Art has always been what makes me happy, whether I am creating or just gazing upon a photograph, painting, etc. I decided when I was little that I wanted to create art that people would one day gaze upon and make them feel something, maybe inspire them or want to hang it up in their home. What makes me happy about photography, is there is no limit, there is no right or wrong. You get to create an image how you want people to see it and you get to choose on how simple the photo looks, or if you want to create this magical look by manipulating it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I didn’t always know that I wanted to be a photographer, but I always knew I wanted to be an artist in some way. When I was younger, I drew a lot, and for a long time I thought I wanted to be an illustrator. When I went to college, that all changed. I ended up going to school to get my Bachelor’s degree in Advertising with a focus in Art Direction. I ended up choosing that field because I could create art using all different forms of media like illustrations, film, graphic design, and photography. Once I started exploring the world of photography more, I started to fall more in love than I thought. It was just a hobby of mine throughout college, but after I graduated, it became so much more than just a hobby to me. Over the last 2 years I have decided that I want to pursue my career in photography, so I re-designed my brand, website, and have been building my Instagram and Facebook pages. My brand is called Elysian Design and Photography. I chose the word Elysian because it is a Greek word that means “beautiful or creative; divinely inspired; peaceful and perfect”, and that is what I want my brand and my work to represent. I love landscape photography, which you will mainly see on my page, because I think we live in a beautiful world, and I want to remind people of that. However, I don’t like to limit myself to one kind of photography, I like to be able to stay creative and photograph new things. Building yourself up as your own brand as a photographer isn’t easy, especially these days with the technology we have, everyone can take and edit photos now. That isn’t stopping me though, I know it isn’t going to be easy, but I am doing it because I have a passion for it. I believe a photograph is more than just a photo, it can tell a story or make you feel something.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The great thing about living here in Southern California is there are so many beautiful places to see. I would take them to spend a day in LA, go to some fun bars and see some famous landmarks. Do a day in Santa Monica, walk the boardwalk, enjoy a nice meal on the beach, ride around in some beach cruisers and soak up a little sun on the beach. I would take them to a rooftop bar in Laguna Beach or even LA, because who doesn’t love a cool rooftop bar. Naturally we would have to spend a day at Disneyland and do all the cheesy things and let our inner child shine through for a day. I also love going to The Hammer Bar and the Blind Rabbit in the Packing House in Anaheim, or going to Golden Road Brewery and Ballast Point Brewery. Maybe even take a little drive down the PCH and taking in the breathtaking view, stopping along the way at anything that catches our eye.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for my parents. My parents have always encouraged me to do and be anything I want to be. They have taught me to appreciate the little things, to appreciate the arts, and to believe in the magic in the world. When I decided I really wanted to get into photography, they bought me my first camera for Christmas, a Nikon D3200. Over the years I have been self teaching myself photography, and whenever I need new equipment or a new book that I can’t afford, my parents have always helped out to make sure that I have what I need to help me succeed in what I love. I know I can always rely on them to be honest with me, and give me the constructive criticism I need to become better. I definitely don’t know where I would be without them and their love and support.

Website: http://www.elysian-designandphotography.com
Instagram: @elysian.design_photography
Facebook: @elysian.designandphotography

Image Credits
I shot and edited all these photos myself.